Heartbroken mourners have gathered to grieve the death of five children who were tragically killed in a freak jumping castle accident in Tasmania this week.
Dozens of residents from all ages have dropped off flowers, toys and messages of support outside the Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport after Thursday’s tragedy.
Five children – Zane Mellor, Peter Dodt, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, all aged 12, and their classmate Addison Stewart, 11 – lost their lives when the jumping castle they were on flew ten metres into the air after a gust of wind.
Three more students are fighting for life in hospital and another is now recovering at home.
Photos have showed the shattered faces of family members, classmates and fellow community members unable to fathom how such a tragedy could have occurred.
The state’s education minister Sarah Courtney was visibly emotional as she delivered a bouquet of flowers to the memorial on Saturday.
Mourners have paid their respects outside Hillcrest Primary School this weekend after five children were killed in a freak jumping castle accident. Education Minister Sarah Courtney is seen at the memorial
Education Minister Sarah Courtney delivered a bouquet of flowers at the site on Saturday
The minister was visibly emotional as she paid her respects to the five students lost
One man was overcome with emotion as he visited the memorial site
The man took a moment to himself as he leant against a pole outside the school on Saturday
Families, classmates and Devonport locals have been left shattered by the tragedy
The children lost in the tragedy (left to right) were identified on Friday as Zane Mellor, Peter Dodt, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan, and Jalailah Jayne-Marie Jones
Another man was overcome with emotion and rested his head on his arm as he leaned against a pole.
Others leant to each other for comfort and cried into the arms of loved ones.
The accident has rocked the tight-knit community of Devonport, as well as the entire country.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein, Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff have each dropped off flowers, while children have written heartfelt messages in crayon on the sidewalk.
The entire side of the footpath is now a shrine dedicated to remembering the students who were lost.
One father brought his young daughter to the memorial on Saturday as hundreds pay their respects
A stream of flowers line the footpath after hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their respects
Ms Courtney looks on at the endless flowers and toys laid out for the five children
Locals have comforted each other in the wake of the accident
One woman is seen leaving a bag at the memorial outside the primary school
Another Devonport local is seen carrying stuffed toys to leave at the memorial site
The community has banded together to support the families of the victims
One woman is seen comforting a loved one outside the school gates
It comes after it was revealed the state’s education department has banned all state schools from using jumping castles while the investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Tasmania’s Education Department confirmed they have ‘put a hold on the use of jumping castle-style equipment until the results of the investigation are known’.
Meanwhile from the incredible efforts of one Devonport local, more than $1million has been raised for the families of the victims.
Zoe Smith created a GoFundMe page to help support the family and process their grief through the Christmas period.
Earlier the step-mum of one of the victims Zane Mellor told Daily Mail Australia, the family was lost without him.
More mourners are seen arriving at the memorial site on Saturday
The state’s education department earlier revealed they had banned the use of jumping castles at all state schools while the investigation is underway
Loved ones held each other tight as they left flowers and toys at the memorial
One little boy is seen visiting the school memorial with his parents
The Devonport community has been rocked by the tragedy, along with Australians around the country
‘We are going to miss him so much, his cheeky smile, a smile so big his eyes would light up,’ Denitta Ryder said.
‘To Zane’s dad Tim, his children are his whole world and he is completely lost without him.’
Ms Ryder also said her step-son was a smart boy who loved going on adventures with his family.
‘He was so gentle with his younger siblings, they all absolutely adored him and he adored them,’ she shared.
Hundreds of bouquets of flowers have lined the streets outside the Hillcrest Primary School
Many residents broke down while visiting the memorial after the unthinkable accident on Thursday
A woman gazes out at the balloons left along the school fence, all with hand written notes on them
Many wrote heartfelt messages for the victims and their families
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk